What is Inflammation? -- What Causes it, and How to Reduce it

Definition of Inflammation

What is inflammation? Inflammation is the origin of pain and is the body’s protective response to injury,
and the beginning of the healing process. Without inflammation, our bodies
wouldn’t heal and the damaging effects would worsen.

Infection should not be confused with inflammation.
Inflammation is the body’s response to an infection.

Forms of Inflammation in the Body

Acute inflammation
is a normal and healthy reaction of the body as the first step in healing and
repair. Acute inflammation prevents the
spread of damaged cells from the injury site, thus containing the infection. It
removes the damaged and dead cells that remain after the injury. It is an on-off
process. Acute inflammation may last for a few days or weeks.

Our body’s inflammation process helps to build tissue to make us stronger, such as when we train with weights or exercise. The
exercised muscle creates inflammation, which triggers the repair mechanism. So,
inflammation is not necessarily a bad thing, unless it becomes chronic.

If the anti-inflammatory chemicals are not sufficient, if
the inflammatory chemicals are excessive, or if there is an ongoing injury or
stress that keeps stimulating the inflammatory chemicals, the anti-inflammation
mechanism stays on and the long-term outcome is chronic inflammation.

When inflammation becomes chronic, health problems can
develop. Chronic inflammation is the first stage of many functional problems
and most chronic diseases. It can last for several months or years.

Joint inflammation, such as arthritis, is an inflammatory disease and prevalent in sedentary societies throughout the world.

Chronic inflammation can lead to lowered immunity, cataracts, gingivitis and periodontal disease, sinusitis, hormonal imbalances that can reduce the ability to cope with stress; nervous system imbalance which can lead to high blood pressure, increased tension, anxiety or depression.

It may cause a reduced pain threshold and digestive distress such as colitis, gastritis, and ileitis. Long-term chronic inflammation can lead to cardiovascular diseases and stroke, lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Insulin levels have been linked to chronic inflammation. That is why obese individuals who often have issues with chronic inflammation develop type 2 diabetes.

What Causes Inflammation in the Body?

What is inflammation and what causes it? Causes of inflammation include an imbalance of fat in
the body, stress, lack of sleep, sugar, and too much alcohol trigger inflammation.

Stress is the body’s fight-or-flight hormone,
and is a normal state unless the adrenals are pushed into overdrive and chronic
inflammation results.

Chemicals and certain synthetics, such as latex, plastics,
and adhesives, may trigger an inflammatory response.

A sedentary lifestyle or lack of movement causes
inflammation to build which carries decay throughout the system.

What is Inflammation and What Are the Foods That Cause It?

The bad fats are saturated, trans, and hydrogenated fats or
oils. Consumption of these fats can result in chronic inflammation, bone loss,
and increased pain.

Sugar contributes to fat imbalance.

Eat these foods that are rich in Omega 3s -- the healthy fats.

Slap your hand if you see it reach for refined, simple carbs, sugars, and bad fat.

Foods That Reduce Inflammation

Now you know the answer to the question, "What is inflammation?" The good news is that there are things we can do to boost the healing process once it is triggered, and may prevent it from becoming chronic.

Certain foods are natural remedies for inflammation. Fat
is a key player in controlling pain and inflammation. A fat imbalance can
result in cataracts, arthritis, physical injuries, osteoporosis, ulcers,
allergies, asthma, hormone imbalance, hair loss, and lack of energy.

Other Ways to Reduce Inflammation

Some people take anti-inflammatory medications to block,
eliminate or reduce pain. These include aspirin, ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, and
other NSAIDS, for inflammation and pain. These medications operate by turning
off your body’s natural anti-inflammatory mechanism. Unfortunately, this masks
the actual cause, such as fat imbalance, which then goes untreated.

Lose excess body fat. Obesity is a killer. Up to 40% of cells in the fat tissue of an obese person are not fat cells but inflammatory cells that form plaque into the cell walls.

Get the right kind of exercise. Idleness equals inflammation and decay. Inflammation as the result of exercise equals growth, renewal, and repair.

Studies have shown that strength training protects the joints and allows healing from arthritis, demonstrating a 50% reduction in pain after several months of strength training, and minor arthritis usually disappearing entirely.

Other treatments include: rest, application of ice, compression and elevation of the area.

Knowing the answer to the question, "What is Inflammation?" allows us to prevent and reduce its impact on our health.